180{20 {0 Loop carrier for a slurry line

ABSTRACT

A conveyer for moving a cart supported slurry line through a 180* bend consisting of a support for a conveyer positioned over the slurry line, conveyer engaging devices spaced along the slurry line and adapted to engage the conveyer, and mobile means attached to the support for the conveyer to move the conveyer in accordance with the use of the slurry line.

United States Patent 1191 McCain et al.

180 LOOP CARRIER FOR A SLURRY LINE Inventors: David L. McCain, PoncaCity,

Okla; Gordon R. Haworth, Glencoe, 11].; Ronald W. Umphrey, Ponca City,Okla.

Assignee: Continental Oil Company, Ponca City, Okla.

Filed: Mar. 30, 1973 Appl. No.: 346,519

u.s. c1. 137/344, 191/12 R, 302/14, 137/3551? Int. Cl H02g 11/00, B65g53/30 Field of Search. 74/246; 137/344, 615, 355.16, l37/355.17; 302/14,15, 16, 64; 299/18, 64; 141/279, 280, 387, 388

451 Jan. 14, 1975 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,571,83210/1951 Chapin 191/12 R 2,893,540 7/1959 Freeman 74/246 2,935,080 5/1960Klimek 137/344 Primary ExaminerHenry T; Klinksiek Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Wi11iam J. Miller [57] ABSTRACT A conveyer for moving a cartsupported slurry line through a 180 bend consisting of a support for aconveyer positioned over the slurry line,'conveyer engaging devicesspaced along the slurry line and adapted to engage the conveyer, andmobile means attached to the support for the conveyer to move theconveyer in accordance with the use of the slurry line.

11 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED 1 M975, 3 860.027

- SHEET 2 or 5 Ill * PATENTEDJAN 1 :915

SHEET 3 (IF 5 FIG] PATENTEB JAN 1 4l975 SHEET h 0F 5 man 180 LOOPCARRIER FOR A SLURRY LINE RELATED APPLICATIONS The application entitledConveyer for Slurry Hose Transportation System, Ser. No. 297,113, filedOct. 12, 1972, now abandoned, by James H. Tarter, Ronald G. Read,Valentino Colussi, and David L. McCain is directly related to theapparatus disclosed in this application.

The application entitled A Mobile Slurry Handling System, Ser. No.294,720, filed Oct. 3, 1972, now abandoned, by Eric H. Reichl is alsodirectly related to the apparatus disclosed in this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the above-mentioned Reichlapplication, an apparatus is disclosed for handling a flexible slurrypipe or hose which is connected between a terminal and a coal diggingmachine. The slurry handling system includes two hoses, one fortransporting water or other fluid and the second for transporting theslurry which consists of the mined material and the fluid mixedtogether. Transportation of the hose will be provided by a plurality ofcarts which is spaced along the pair of hoses and not only supports thehoses off of the ground but also provides a mobility to the hose alongthe axis of the pipe. The carts are selectively controlled so that thepair of hoses will follow all movements of the coal digging machine intoand out of the room where the coal is being dug. A certain portion ofthe total length of the pair of hoses is positioned in the mine toprovide storage so that the coal digging machine can operate for anextended period of time without requiring the movement of fixed pipesfrom the terminal to the beginning of the slurry hose system.

The Tarter et al application relates to a method and apparatus foraccomplishing the storage necessary for carrying out the above-describedinvention. In order to provide an adequate length of slurry hoses in themine, it is necessary to bend the stored hose through a 180 loop. Sincethe hose is susceptible to damage, it is imperative that the loop beclosely controlled so that it does not become too sharp and result infailure of the hose. To provide the above, a 180 conveyer system wasinvented which lifts the hose system along with the cart off the ground,moves it around the 180 loop, and replaces the cart on the surface ofthe ground along with activating the powered carts so that they canapply power to the active portion of the slurry system. When the cartsare returned to storage, the powered carts are deactivated so that theycannot be controlled by signals passing down the system. Mobility isprovided the conveyer so that it can accommodate changes in the lengthof the slurry hose in storage.

This application relates to a method and apparatus for accomplishing thestorage necessary for carrying out the invention described in the Reichlapplication in a manner different from that described in the Tarter etal. application by placing the conveyer over the slurry line, engagingthe slurry line, lifting it off the ground, moving it through 180, andredepositing it on the ground. The invention herein set out has certaindefinite advantages over the Tarter et al application since a lowplatform need not be transported over a rather rough mine floor.Suspension of the system over the slurry line provides for bettercontrol of the line during the 180 turn, a simple structure foraccomplishing the turn, and less potential problems with the supportstructure.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Conveyers have been used in the past formany purposes. For example, the patent to Heimaster, US Pat. No.3,301,599, illustrates a conveyer supported by wheels and connected to amine digging machine. This conveyer, however, does not convey or providemobility to a slurry hose system but rather conveys the product directlyon the conveyer to the disposal terminal.

The patent to Eric Reichl, US. Pat. No. 3,260,548, illustrates a miningmachine connected through a slurry hose system to a terminal fordisposing of the product. This patent, however, discloses hoses whichare nonsupported but have a slightly greater length than necessary toconnect from the terminal to the coal digging machines. As aconsequence, some storage is provided by the excessive length of thehose. The invention thus disclosed, however, does not take intoconsideration the excessive wear which will result from hoses which aremade principally of steel reinforced rubber. These hoses, when loaded,may weigh as much as pounds per foot, and movement of a hose of thisweight over the rough surface of amine passage floor will result inearly failure of the hose. Furthermore, when the mining machine make a90 turn, there is no way to successfully move the hose around the turnwithout risk of damage.

None of the patents discloses a mobile slurry system where carts, bothpowered ans unpowered, are connected by linkages and where a long lengthof a slurry hose is stored in the mine. The conveyer .is a nec essaryelement in removing the slurry system from storage, conveying it aroundthrough 180, activating the powered carts, and placing the slurry systemin a posi tion where it can actively follow the mining machine.

The conveyer system described in the Tarter et al. application does movethe slurry system through 180 but operates by moving the slurry line upa ramp, moving it through 180 while on the ramp, and redepositing thecarts on the surface of the ground from the ramp after they have passedaround the 180 loop carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION This inventionprovides a simple but efficient means for turning the direction of aslurry line through 180 from a position of storage to a position ofactive use in accordance with the demands of the mining machine. Theinvention differs from the prior art by providing an overhead conveyerwhich engages the slurry line, moves the carts through 180 while liftingthem from the ground, and redeposits the carts on the ground after the180 turn is complete and at the same time disengaging the slurry linefrom the conveyer. Means are also provided to move the conveyer inaccordance with the needs of the mining machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anoverhead conveyer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an overhead conveyer shown in FIG. 1with the slurry line being carried by the conveyer;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the conveyer and slurry line shown in FIG. 2;FIG. 4 is a side view of the conveyer and slurry line shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5a through 5c illustrate various conveyer and roller combinationswhich could be used for the overhead conveyer;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a continuous conveyer;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the continuous conveyer illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is the end view of tongs mounted on the conveyer line shown inFIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates the camming operation used to open the tongsillustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a circular type conveyer;

FIG. 1 1 is the end view of the conveyer illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is another form of circular con'veyer; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of the conveyer illustrated in FIG. 12.

Referring to all of the figures but in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4,an overhead conveyer system 10 is illustrated having a frame consistingof horizontal member 11 having vertical upright members 12 and 13attached to its end, a cross-member 14, and horizontal members 15 and 16attached respectively to upright members 12 and 13. The 180 conveyer 17is attached to horizontal members 15 and 16 at one end and supported atits other end by a vertical member 18 which is attached to the midpointof a horizontal cross-beam l9. Cross-beam 19 is attached to the 180conveyer 17 by any usual means, such as welding. Additional supports canbe supplied by angular braces 20 and 21. Mobility for the conveyer isprovided by a pair of wheels which may be powered by a hydraulic motor26 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The open-ended portion of the conveyer which issupported by upright member 18 has a pair of wheels 30 attached at itslower end through a swivel plate 31. Wheels 30 may be driven by ahydraulic motor (not shown), and the direction can be oriented by asecond hydraulic motor mounted in upright member 18 or wheel mountingmember 32. The assembly can also be free to move in any direction bymerely journaling swivel plate 31 and differentially driving wheels 25.A truck or other powered vehicle 35 is connected through arms 36 tohorizontal member 11. 180 conveyer 17 is terminated in a flared end 37which also has a downward sloping bottom 38. Slot 39 has arcuate edges40 to provide a guiding surface for the entry of the engaging meanswhich is mounted on the slurry hose transportation system.

Referring to FIG. 2 a slurry hose system being carried by conveyer 10 isillustrated and essentially comprises a pair of hoses 41 which isattached to carts 42. In between carts 42 is a plurality ofinterconnecting linkages 43 and 44, for example. Linkage 44 will usuallycontain a hose clamp 45 which is also carried by carts 42. Carts 42 maybe either powered or unpowered; and, in the preferred embodiment, someof the carts are powered and some are unpowered. Attached to each of thehose clamps 45 is a conveyer engaging means which consists of an uprightpost 51 and a'plurality of wheels 52 which is joumaled in upright post51.

OPERATION The operation is best described by referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and4. Hose clamps 45 each carry a conveyer engaging means 50 and wheels 52.As one of the carts 42 moves toward the flared end 37, the roller 52will engage the sloping ramped surface 38, engaging means 50, and passinto slot 39. It should be noted that the slot is wider at the flaredend 37 and has rounded corners 40 to assist in aligning the carts withthe conveyer, if perchance they have moved to one side or the other. Asthe rollers move up ramp 38, the conveyer engaging means is graduallylifting the hose clamp 45 until it is the same height as conveyer 17.The difference in height between the beginning of ramp 38 and the end oframp 38 is sufficient to lift the wheels of cart 42 from the ground andprovide adequate clearance for objects, such as stones or coal, thatmight be on the surface or floor of the mine. As the carts 42 proceed tomove in one direction, wheels 52 will eventually reach the other ramp 38which is sloping gradually downward. As the wheels 52 move down the ramp38, the wheels of carts 42 will be redeposited on the ground. Truck 35,which is connected through arms 36 to conveyer 10, can move conveyer 10in the direction of arrow thus, as the hose is removed from storage orreturned to storage, truck 35 will move in either direction and alongarrow 60.

Steering of the conveyer to keep it properly aligned can be accomplishedby moving wheels 30 about swivel plate 31. Once attached to the vehicle35 the three wheels must steer in unison with each other and the vehicleto avoid side skidding.

It is obvious, of course, that other means of transporting the conveyer10 can be accomplished such as, for example, a motor mounted directly onthe conveyer. Such a system is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 where apower source 61, such as an electric motor 62, is connected to ahydraulic pump 63 which in turn is connected to hydraulic motors 26.

Steering can be accomplished by hydraulic piston 64 connected through apiston rod 65 to a pivoted lever 66 which in turn is connected to rod 67and through pivotal joints 68 to arms 69. Rather than the mechanicalsteering linkage described by numbers 64 through 69, each of thehydraulic motors 26 can be individually powered, which will steer theconveyer by causing an increase in speed in one hydraulic motor 16 ascompared to the remaining hydraulic motor 26. As previously mentioned,steering can also be accomplished by turning wheels 30 about swivelplate 31 by any'means, mechanical, hydraulic, or electric.

Referring to FIGS. 5a through 50, modifications in the conveyer andconveyer engaging means are illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 5a the conveyer track, for example, could comprise aC-shaped track 70 adapted to fit wheels 52 which is connected throughengaging means 50 to hose clamp 45.

Referring to FIG. 5b the conveyer track could comprise an I-beam 71having a flat upper surface 72 and a V-shaped lower surface 73. Wheels52 through engaging means 50 would roll over the flat upper surface, anda second V-shaped engaging means 52' through a second engaging means 50'would engage the V-shaped surface 73. Surface 73 is primarily used topositively secure the hose system being conveyed during its pass aroundthe turn.

FIG. 5c illustrates another embodiment wherein beam 71 has wheels 52through engaging means 50 roll on one side of I-beam 71, while thesecond wheels 52 and engaging means 50 roll on the other side of I-beamOther than the particular configuration of the conveyers described inFIGS. 50 through 5c, the operation of the conveyers is identical to thatdescribed in FIGS. 1 through 4.

CONTINUOUS CONVEYER FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a continuous conveyerwhich will function in a manner similar to the conveyer described inFIGS. 1 through 4.

Referring to all of the figures but in particular to FIGS. 6 and 7,continuous conveyer 80 has a supporting structure comprising uprightmembers 81 and horizontal members 82 which are attached to each otherand to the conveyer line by any suitable system such as welding. Ahorizontal member 83 is mounted across conveyer 80, and attached at itsmidpoint is a vertical member 84 carrying swivel plate 31 and wheels 30.Upright members 81, likewise, have attached thereto wheels 25. Themovement of the conveyer along line arrow 60 and the various methods ofsteering and turning are identical to that described in FIGS. 1 through4 and will not be set out in detail in these figures.

The conveyer essentially comprises a C-shaped channel having a pluralityof rollers 90 attached to engaging members 91. Tongs 92 are pivotallyattached to members 91. A more detailed description of the tongs isillustrates in FIGS. 8 and 9 and will be discussed in a subsequentportion of this specification.

Tong spreaders 93 are mounted on each side of the conveyer in the downposition and are adjusted to open the tongs over the hose clamps 45, andthe length and positioning of the spreaders 93 along conveyer 80 aresuch that the tongs will close prior to the time the rollers 90 start upramp 97. The space between the tongs 92 is adjusted by a chain 95 and isset to coincide with the spacing between the hose clamps 45. On eachhose clamp 45 is attach a tong engaging means 96 which is sufficientlywide so that some latitude will be afforded the tongs with respect tothe position of the carts.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a detailed description of the tongs andtheir operation is illustrated. Tongs generally referred to as 92comprise a first arm 101, a second arm 102 and engaging members 91.Rollers 90 are journaled through a shaft 103 to the upper end ofengaging members 91. Arms 101 and 102 are pivoted at approximately theirmidpoint to the lower end of engaging members 91 by any means such asbolt 104. Spreader rollers 100 are journaled in one end of arms 101 and102 by means such as bolt 105. A spring 106 biases the rollers 100against the outer surface 107 of conveyer 80.

Referring to FIG. 9 conveyer 80 has attached thereto spreaders 93 which,as illustrated, open the tongs arms 101 and 102, providing a means forreleasing or clamping engaging means 96 which is attached to hose clampOPERATION The operation of the embodiment described in FIGS. 6 and 7 issimilar to the operation described in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 4. The main difference resides in the conveyer carryingthe engaging rollers rather than the hose clamps. Another advantage isthe ability to drive chain 95 by a power source which is directlysynchronized to the movement of the conveyer along arrow 60.Synchronization of the movement of the conveyer is easily provided inits relationship with the movement of wheels 25, since a direct linearmathematical relationship exists between the two movements. For example,the chain must move twice the linear distance of the movement ofconveyer 10; thus, a mechanical linkage can be coupled from the wheelsto the conveyer. As a hose clamp 45 approaches the down position ofconveyer 80, spreaders 93 have opened tongs 92. Since they are easilysynchronized with the position of the engaging means 92 on hose clamp45, as the hose clamps move toward the lift position, tongs 92 willclose once the spreader rollers have left spreaders 93. Rollers 90inside the conveyer will then pass up ramp 97 lifting the hose clamp 45and hose on carts 42 from the ground; Once the system has passed 180around conveyer 10, it will pass down ramp 97, spreader rollers 100 andagain engage spreaders 93, opening tongs 92 and releasing the engagingmeans 96.

CIRCULAR EMBODIMENT The circular embodiment of the overhead conveyer isillustrated in FIGS. 10, ll, 12 and 13. The primary difference betweenFIGS. 10 and 11 and that illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is the methodfor raising and lowering the hose clamps.

In FIGS. 10 and 11 individual arms are raised and lowered, while inFIGS. 12 and 13 the circular conveyer is tilted to provide the liftingof the hose clamps.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 10 and 11, a support means comprises ahorizontal cross-beam 150, vertical members 151, and angular horizontalmembers 152 which are joined at 153 to a center vertical member 154.Transportation of the conveyer is, as previously described, provided bywheels 25 and wheels 30. A plurality of arms is pivoted at 161 and has aconveyer engaging means 162 at its apex. A hydraulic means 163 isattached at one end to vertical member 154 and through its rod 164 to apivotal joint 165 on the underside of arm 160. Hose clamp 45 contains anengaging means adapted to mate with the engaging means 162 on arm 160.Hydraulic lines 171 provide control for lifting and lowering arms 160. Acamming system could be used instead of the hydraulic system abovedescribed.

OPERATION The method of moving the conveyer is similar to thatpreviously described in FIGS. l-through 4 and will not be againdescribed for this embodiment.

Arms 160 which pivot about point 161 have an engaging means 162 whichmates with the engaging means 170 on hose clamp 45. When engaging means162 mates with hose clamp engaging means 170, fluid is applied throughlines 171 to piston 163 causing piston rod 164 to extend, raising arms160 to a horizontal position, and lifting hose clamp 45 so that the hoseor carts 42 will be lifted from the ground. Once the hose and/or cartshave passed around the turn, pressure is released in hydraulic lines 171causing piston rod 164 to retract and lowering arms 160. Rotation ofarms 160 about pivot 153 will disengage means 170 and 162.

As previously described the arms 160 can rotate by virtue of themovement of the conveyer support means, or they can be rotated by aseparately powered system (not illustrated).

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 the disc form of the circular conveyer isillustrated. The support means is identical to that illustratedin FIGS.and 11 and will not be further described.

Disc 180 is journaled about pivot 153 and has an angular tilt 181. Theangular tilt is sufficient to lift the carts at point 183, for example,and to redeposit the carts on the ground at 184. Any form of engagingmeans can be used, such as notches 185, which mate with engaging means186 mounted to clamps 45. A positive clamp engaging means (not shown)would be better than the notch to prevent the carts from slipping offthe conveyer.

The operation of the above is similar to that described in the previousembodiments with the exception that no mechanical lifting or raisingmechanism is required.

N CONCLUSIONS An overhead conveyer apparatus has been described. Thepreferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 provides a simple meansfor lifting a slurry hose transportation system and moving it through180 from a storage position to an active position. The remainingembodiments illustrate other means for accomplishing the same result.

A winch could be substituted for power on the conveyer or to augment thetractive effort available. This would be especially valuable inretracting the loop when forces required might exceed tractionavailable.

In view of the above-described embodiments, it is obvious thatmodifications and changes can be made to the conveyer systems which willbe fully within the scope of the claims as described and illustrated inthe specification.

We claim:

1. A conveyor apparatus for moving a slurry line movably supported byplural carts through a 180 bend comprising:

a. a support frame for secure positioning at a selected 180 bendposition;

b. spaced conveyor engaging means;

c. 180 turn conveyor means attached to said support frame above saidslurry line; and

d. means carried by said l80 turn conveyor means and spaced to coincidewith said spaced conveyor engaging means for engaging said engagingmeans and moving said slurry line around said 180 turn conveyor means.

2. A conveyer as described in claim 1 wherein said 180 turn conveyermeans comprises a slotted track formed with a 180 loop with said slotfacing said slurry line.

3. A conveyor as described in claim 2 wherein said 180 turn conveyormeans comprises a continuous track having at least a portion in a 180bend, said means carried by said slotted track for engaging saidconveyor engaging means further comprising roller means retained in saidtrack, engaging members journaled to said roller means and extendingthrough said slot; and means carried by said engaging members forengaging said spaced conveyor engaging means.

4. A conveyor as described in claim 1 wherein said turn conveyor meanscomprises a circular means axially journaled in said support frame andhaving plural, spaced means carried by said circular means to engagesaid conveyor engaging means. 7

5. A conveyor means for controlling the movement through a 180 turn of acart supported slurry line system which is adapted to move over thesurface of the earth comprising:

a. a support means;

b. a 180 turn means mounted to said support means substantially parallelwith the earth and positioned above said slurry line; and

c, coupling means carried in affixure to said slurry line for couplingsaid slurry line to said 180 turn means.

6. A conveyer means as described in claim 5 wherein said support meansincludes a plurality of ground engaging wheel's journaled to saidsupport means and powered mobile means for moving said'support means.

7. A conveyer means as described in claim 5 wherein said 180 turn meanscomprises a track having a slot facing said slurry line, said trackformed into a 180 arc and having a first and second end.

8. A conveyer as described in claim 7 wherein said first and second endsare flared to accept said coupling means and wherein said first andsecond ends are positioned at the same height as said coupling means andwherein said 180 track is positioned higher than said coupling means,whereby said coupling means can engage said track at one end, lift saidcart off the surface of the earth through said 180 turn and lower itagain at said remaining end. I

9. A device as described in claim 5 wherein said 180 turn meanscomprises a continuous slotted track having at least a portion in a 180bend, and said coupling means further comprising roller means carried bysaid track, holding means journaled to said roller means and extendingthrough said slot, and engaging means carried by said holding means forcoupling and decoupling said slurry line.

10. A device as described in claim 5 wherein said 180 conveyer meanscomprises a hub journaled in said support means, a plurality of cartlifting means having one end attached to said hub means, and the otherend having said coupling means attached thereto.

11. A device as described in claim 10 including means attached betweensaid hub means and said cart lifting means to vertically position saidarms with respect to said slurry line.

1. A conveyor apparatus for moving a slurry line movably supported byplural carts through a 180* bend comprising: a. a support frame forsecure positioning at a selected 180* bend position; b. spaced conveyorengaging means; c. 180* turn conveyor means attached to said supportframe above said slurry line; and d. means carried by said 180* turnconveyor means and spaced to coincide with said spaced conveyor engagingmeans for engaging said engaging means and moving said slurry linearound said 180* turn conveyor means.
 2. A conveyer as described inclaim 1 wherein said 180* turn conveyer means comprises a slotted trackformed with a 180* loop with said slot facing said slurry line.
 3. Aconveyor as described in claim 2 wherein said 180* turn conveyor meanscomprises a continuous track having at least a portion in a 180* bend,said means carried by said slotted track for engaging said conveyorengaging means further comprising roller means retained in said track,engaging members journaled to said roller means and extending throughsaid slot; and means carried by said engaging members for engaging saidspaced conveyor engaging means.
 4. A conveyor as described in claim 1wherein said 180* turn conveyor means comprises a circular means axiallyjournaled in said support frame and having plural, spaced means carriedby said circular means to engage said conveyor engaging means.
 5. Aconveyor means for controlling the movement through a 180* turn of acart supported slurry line system which is adapted to move over thesurface of the earth comprising: a. a support means; b. a 180* turnmeans mounted to said support means substantially parallel with theearth and positioned above said slurry line; and c. coupling meanscarried in affixure to said slurry line for coupling said slurry line tosaid 180* turn means.
 6. A conveyer means as described in claim 5wherein said support means includes a plurality of ground engagingwheels journaled to said support means and powered mobile means formoving said support means.
 7. A conveyer means as described in claim 5wherein said 180* turn means comprises a track having a slot facing saidslurry line, said track formed into a 180* arc and having a first andsecond end.
 8. A conveyer as described in claim 7 wherein said first andsecond ends are flared to accept said coupling means and wherein saidfirst and second ends are positioned at the same height as said couplingmeans and wherein said 180* track is positioned higher than saidcoupling means, whereby said coupling means can engage said track at oneend, lift said cart off the surface of the earth through said 180* turnand lower it again at said remaining end.
 9. A device as described inclaim 5 wherein said 180* turn means comprises a continuous slottedtrack having at least a portion in a 180* bend, and said coupling meansfurther comprising roller means carried by said track, holding meansjournaled to said roller means and extending through said slot, andengaging means carried by said holding means for coupling and decouplingsaid slurry line.
 10. A device as described in claim 5 wherein said 180*conveyer means comprises a hub journaled in said support means, aplurality of cart lifting means having one end attached to said hubmeans, and the other end having said coupling means attached thereto.11. A device as described in claim 10 including means attached betweensaid hub means and said cart lifting means to vertically position saidarms with respect to said slurry line.